Counseling, Mental Health Counseling - Dual License, MEd

Graduate Admissions
Bridgewater State University
Maxwell Library, Room 019
10 Shaw Road
Bridgewater, MA 02325
gradadmissions@bridgew.edu
508-531-1300

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This 66-credit program is for those seeking dual licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Massachusetts by the Board of Registration and a School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor License with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Program requirements have been designed to meet current state licensing requirements (CMR 262) and initial licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a school social worker/school adjustment counselor.

The Mental Health Counseling - Dual License MEd at Bridgewater State University offers:

  • Diverse faculty with extensive teaching and administrative experience in the fields of mental health counseling
  • Development of critical thinking skills, as well as oral and written communication capabilities
  • Small classes facilitating a more personalized learning experience
  • Affordable tuition, whether you live in state or out of state
  • Provides a comfortable learning environment for older, non-traditional graduate students

 Program Director: Dr. Nikki Freeburg

Admissions Requirements

  • Online application and $50 application fee
  • Resume 
  • Transcripts - Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
  • Minimum GPA - Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.8 (or 3.0 based upon last 60 credits). If candidate holds a Master's degree, a minimum graduate GPA of 3.5 is required
  • GRE General Test Scores
    • If undergraduate GPA is 3.00 or higher, then a combined GRE score of 281-290 is needed.
    • If undergraduate GPA is a 2.80-2.99, then a combined GRE score of 291 or higher is needed.
    • If undergraduate GPA is 2.50-2.79, then a combined GRE score of 292+ is needed.
    • If candidate holds a master’s degree and GPA is a 3.5 or higher, GRE requirement is waived.
    • If candidate holds a master’s degree and GPA is a 3.0-3.49, a combined GRE score of 297 is needed.
  • MTEL Score - A passing score on the Communication and Literacy portion of the MTEL
  • Letters of Recommendation - Three appropriate letters of recommendation, one of which should be from a supervisor who has knowledge of the candidate's aptitude for the counseling profession and counseling related experiences.
  • Personal Statement - A 500-word personal statement that presents a synthesized, integrated, and self-reflective description of your career goals as they relate to your chosen field of counseling and how they have led you to apply to the specific counseling program at Bridgewater State University.
  • Interview - Final applicants are required to participate in a one-day Admissions Day held on the third Friday of November for Spring applicants, and the third Friday in March for Fall applicants

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester: February 1
Spring Semester: October 1

 

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Curriculum

Core Courses
CNMH 528 - Counseling Theories and Techniques for Mental Health Counseling*
CNGC 529 - Multicultural Counseling*
CNGC 500 - Research and Evaluation*
CNMH 534 - The Professional Counselor: Standards, Ethics and Legal Issues
CNMH 535 - Applied Counseling: Adolescent-Adult
CNMH 536 - Applied Counseling: Pre-Adolescent
CNGC 538 - Group I: Theory and Process of Group Interaction
CNMH 568 - Psychopathology
CNMH 532 - Psychological Assessment
CNGC 539 - Introduction to Career Counseling
CNMH 564 - Theories of Psychological Development
CNGC 563 - Psychopharmacology for Nonmedical Professionals
CNMH 540 - Substance Abuse and Dependency
CNGC 520 - Group Experience (Pass/No Pass)
CNMH 569 - Crisis/Disaster Counseling

*To be taken within the first 15 credits

 

Electives
Complete three credits in counseling (CNGC, CNMH, CNSA, CNSC) at the 500-level or above.

Total minimum credits: 66

 

Additional Information:

Fieldwork
Students will meet with their adviser to plan their fieldwork experience. Students pursuing an LMHC and a license as a School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor must complete a minimum of 450 hours of fieldwork at a mental health site and 450 hours at a school-based mental health site. Students may work 10-30 hours per 15-week semester and will register for three credits for each 150 hours of field work they will complete that semester. Students must attend a clinical seminar each semester they are involved in field experience and must attend a minimum of two total seminars.

Culminating Experience
The culminating experience focuses on students’ ability to integrate counseling and development theory into direct practice. Through the culminating experience, students will demonstrate the counseling competencies that align with current CACREP standards (Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs), as well as standards that align within respective programs of study. Students will have the choice of completing one of the following options:

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Funding Opportunities

The College of Graduate Studies provides various opportunities for graduate students to receive funding while working towards their degrees. Appointments are competitive and are determined by undergraduate and/or graduate grade point averages, pertinent experience, educational preparation and interviews.  For information on assistantships, fellowships and conference funding awards, please visit our Graduate Funding Opportunities page.

The MEd program in Mental Health Counseling is eligible for unsubsidized student loans and applicants are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For more specific questions, please visit the Financial Aid Office website or contact them directly at finaid@bridgew.edu.